CVE-2018-0125 in RV132W
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of the Cisco RV132W ADSL2+ Wireless-N VPN and RV134W VDSL2 Wireless-AC VPN Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and gain full control of an affected system, including issuing commands with root privileges. The attacker could also cause an affected system to reload, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to an incomplete input validation on user-controlled input in an HTTP request to the targeted device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user and gain full control of the affected system or cause it to reload, resulting in a DoS condition. This vulnerability is fixed in firmware version 1.0.1.11 for the following Cisco products: RV132W ADSL2+ Wireless-N VPN Router and RV134W VDSL2 Wireless-AC VPN Router. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg92737, CSCvh60170.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
This vulnerability resides within the web management interface of Cisco's RV132W and RV134W wireless VPN routers, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution without authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-controlled data submitted through HTTP requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal input filtering, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected devices with root-level privileges. The flaw specifically manifests in the router's handling of user-supplied parameters within web interface requests, creating an attack surface that permits complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design where input data is not properly validated before being processed. This particular flaw demonstrates how insufficient validation of HTTP request parameters can lead to severe consequences including privilege escalation and system takeover. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the web server component running on the router's embedded operating system. The attack vector requires only network access to the device's web management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is profound, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected routers, enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, establish backdoors, and potentially use the compromised devices as launching points for further attacks within the network. The ability to execute commands with root privileges means attackers can manipulate the underlying operating system, access sensitive configuration files, and modify network routing rules. Additionally, the vulnerability allows for denial of service conditions through system reloads, which can disrupt network connectivity and availability. This dual capability of both remote code execution and denial of service makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to version 1.0.1.11, which addresses the input validation issues through proper sanitization of HTTP request parameters. Network administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting access to the router's web interface through firewall rules, limiting access to trusted IP addresses only, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly those with web interfaces that are accessible over untrusted networks. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and the principle of least privilege to limit the potential impact of such compromises. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and prompt patch management, as it represents a classic example of how incomplete input validation can lead to complete system compromise. The Cisco Bug IDs CSCvg92737 and CSCvh60170 document the specific issues addressed in the firmware update, emphasizing the need for timely remediation of known vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices.